Tribes Seek County Cooperation with Wildlife Area

DAYTON—Representatives of the Umatilla Confederated Tribes came before the BOCC at last week’s regular meeting to present and discuss a proposed Memorandum of Agreement for the Rainwater Wildlife Area, which, if enacted, would establish a formal working relationship between the tribes and the county.

Since 1997 the tribes, in conjunction with the Bonneville Power System, have acquired land in the Rainwater Wildlife Area, of which 10,835 acres lie in Columbia County. The lands have been purchased for the purpose of mitigation for impacts on fish and wildlife in the Columbia River power system. A conservation easement on the properties sets forth how they will be managed, permanently, for fish and wildlife protection, according to Attorney Joe Pitt, who was present at the meeting.

Pitt said the conservation easement will decrease the likelihood of friction between various groups because it places restrictions on what can be done with the property.

Recognition of tribal efforts in the Rainwater Wildlife Area, as well as improved relationships and communication, through formal cooperative agreements, are the goals going forward, Pitt said.

Jerry Middel, a habitat biologist and the project leader in the Rainwater Wildlife Area discussed tribally funded work, which includes forest thinning, Yellow Star Thistle eradication, and restoration projects in the South and North Touchet Rivers, as well as maintaining roads, all of which are consistent with the Confederated Tribes and the Rainwater Conservation District, he said.

“A lot of our work at Rainwater has gone to local contractors,” he added.

A formalized agreement would enable the two parties to collaborate on areas of mutual concern, such as fire protection and police enforcement. A partnership would also be an important tool when seeking federal funding, and resources, according to Koko Hufford, Land Project Manager for Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

“We want to make sure your community members know that we are doing the right thing with that property,” said Hufford.

Commissioner Merle Jackson said, “We are all in this together. We are very interested in stewardship of the land. It is the right thing to do.”

Commission Chairman Mike Talbott agreed.

“We look forward to working with you,” he told those in attendance.

The BOCC and the county’s attorney will consider the agreement and the parties will meet again, said Commissioner Talbott .